Student Employee, Planetarium Fieldtrip Assistant

Joliet Junior College; United States; On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Joliet Junior College seeks a part-time Student Employee, Planetarium Fieldtrip Assistant to support daily operations, educational programs, and public events at the Trackman Planetarium. You will help set up shows, assist with field trips, and engage visitors with astronomy topics in a supportive, customer‑facing role.

You’ll assist with outreach, prepare materials, and track attendance while gaining hands-on experience in science education and event coordination on a college campus.

Qualifications

• GPA 2.0 or above.
• Enrolled at Joliet Junior College for at least 6 credit hours.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Interest in Astronomy, Science, or Education.
• Availability on Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings.
• Able to work with K-12 students and diverse community members.
• Strong communication skills (written, verbal, public speaking).
• Computer literacy.
• Attention to detail and organization.
• Professional conduct aligned with JJC mission.

Responsibilities

• Greet and usher visitors to events and field trips.
• Coordinate and facilitate planetarium shows and educational programming.
• Supervise groups and manage transitions between activities.
• Engage audiences in astronomy, physics, and aerospace topics.
• Present history of JJC’s Cronin Schoolhouse to visitors.
• Research content, prepare lectures, and demonstrate hands-on activities.
• Create promotional materials and social media content for events.
• Assist with content for new full dome films.
• Maintain safety and cleanliness in the Planetarium environment.
• Learn and operate the planetarium projection system and software.
• Support traveling Planetarium events at local schools.
• Track attendance and report data for events.
• Schedule dome bookings via 25Live.
• Collaborate across departments to promote partnerships.

Skills

Public speaking

Customer service

Communication

Computer literacy

Teamwork

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Enrolled at JJC in at least 6 credit hours

Tools

25Live

Job description

Position Title: Student Employee, Planetarium Fieldtrip Assistant Job Description: This role supports the daily operations, educational programs, and public events of the Trackman Planetarium field trips. The student position plays a key role in creating engaging, educational, and accessible astronomy experiences for visitors of all ages. Responsibilities include assisting with the setup/facilitation of planetarium shows, field trips, and outreach events, providing exceptional customer service to guests, creation of promotional materials/media content, and maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. The Planetarium Assistant also helps with research, presentation preparation, and general administrative tasks while gaining hands‑on experience in science education, public engagement, teamwork, and event coordination.

POSITION TITLE: Student Employee, Planetarium Fieldtrip Assistant
STATUS: Part time
DEPARTMENT: Center for Continuing Education
DIVISION: Academic Affairs
REPORTS TO: Planetarium Outreach Coordinator
CLASSIFICATION: Non-exempt
Hiring range: $15.00 per hour (Position is FWS Eligible)

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1. Greet and usher visitors to JJC and the Trackman Planetarium for events and field trips.
• 2. Assist in the coordination and facilitation of planetarium shows, educational programming, community outreach, in‑house science demonstrations, camps, and classes.
• 3. Supervise, guide, and direct school age children, educators, and chaperones throughout scheduled field trip events, ensuring timely transitions between activities.
• 4. Engage audiences on topics in astronomy, physics, and aerospace.
• 5. Present the history of JJC’s Cronin Schoolhouse with field trip visitors.
• 6. Aids in researching planetarium show content and imagery, presenting lectures, and hands‑on demonstrations.
• 7. Coordinate social media efforts to increase outreach and awareness of Planetarium events. Create promotional items and visual displays, flyers, TV promos, brochures, bulletin boards, and other materials to market events.
• 8. Research, summarize, and catalog content for new full dome films.
• 9. Maintains cleanliness and safety in the Planetarium environment.
• 10. Attend training and become familiar with the Planetarium digital projection system, including audio, video, and full dome software.
• 11. Assist the Planetarium Coordinator in use of the Traveling Trackman Planetarium at local schools. Including set up/break down, greeting, seating, and transitioning of groups throughout the scheduled event.
• 12. Track and report data of Planetarium events and attendance throughout the semester.
• 13. Reserve booking of the dome for public shows, field trips, and other events via 25Live.
• 14. Collaborate with other departments and promote campus‑wide partnerships.
• 15. Maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community.
• 16. Perform related other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. GPA of 2.0 or above.
• 2. Must be enrolled at JJC in at least 6 credit hours.
• 3. High School diploma or equivalent.
• 4. Interest in related fields of Astronomy, Science, and/or Education
• 5. Availability on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings
• 6. Must be able to work well with K-12 students, adults with special needs, and diverse community members.
• 7. Must be able to communicate effectively. Strong public speaking, verbal, written, and customer service skills.
• 8. Computer literacy
• 9. Attentiveness to detail, excellent organizational skills, initiative, and multitasking.
• 10. Demonstrate professionalism with commitment to JJC’s mission and Core Values
• 11. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. Willingness to work a flexible schedule.
• 2. Ability to travel to off‑campus locations as needed. Valid Driver's License and reliable transportation.
• 3. Experience with classroom or group management.
• 4. English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency.
• 5. Demonstrated multicultural competence.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• 1. Office and classroom clean‑up will require the ability to kneel on the floor and/or bend at the waist.
• 2. Ability to lift and move equipment.
• 3. Ability to navigate indoor and outdoor areas while leading groups.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Planetarium environment may be dark at times. Shows may include flashing lights, motion visuals, and immersive sound effects that could affect individuals with light or motion sensitivity. Appropriate accommodations will be provided as needed.

SCHEDULED WEEKLY HOURS

M/W/F Availability. This is a student employee position that works with your class schedule. May work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. During summer and holiday breaks (Winter/Spring), may work up to 28 hours per week with supervisor approval.

FULL TIME/PART TIME

Part time

UNION (IF APPLICABLE)

Scheduled Hours: 20

ABOUT JJC

Founded in 1901 as the nation’s first public community college, JJC’s dedication to student learning, community prosperity, and personal growth has influenced generations of students and community partners. Our five campuses and extension centers ensure accessibility and empower 30,000 students annually to improve their lives through the power of education. Our commitment to our mission drives the change and innovation necessary to meet the evolving needs of our students, employees, and community. Our continued success is drawn from talented, diverse, and committed employees whose knowledge and passion for education create a thriving culture both in and out of the classroom. JJC supports an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone can learn, grow, and perform at their best. We invite you to apply your skills and experience in a way that supports excellence and rewards your contributions. Join our family and make JJC your first choice!

ANNUAL CLERY SAFETY REPORT (ASR) NOTICE

Joliet Junior College is committed to assisting members of the JJC community in providing for their own safety and security. The annual CLERY security report is available at the JJC Police Department website: along with other safety information. If you would like to receive the ASR in booklet form, you may stop by the Campus Police Department located on Main Campus in G-1024 or call Campus Police at 815-280-2234. The website and booklet contain information regarding campus security and personal safety such as crime prevention and reporting, police law enforcement authority, disciplinary procedures and other related security policies. They also contain information about crime statistics for the three previous years for all JJC campuses, property owned and controlled by JJC District 525 and on public property immediately adjacent to JJC campuses. This information is required by law and is made available by the Joliet Junior College Police Department.